Land leveler and grader



July 22 1924. 1,502,138

F. E. DUNN ET AL.

LAND LEVELER AND GRADER 1923 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 16 m ay mlmmmun s R N Q Nam W? N E M 5 J July 22 1924. 1,502,138

7 F. E. DUNN ET AL LAND LEVELER AND GRADER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed-April 16. 1923 ATT'YS July 22 1924. 1,502,138

F. E. DUNN ET AL LAND LEVELER AND GRADER Filed April 16, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July- 22, 1924.

UNITED! STAE PATENT ()FlcE rnmxn. DUNN ANDNTULIUS ram nnson, or KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON.

LAND LEV 'ELER AND GRADER. I

Application filed April 16, 192i3.1 Serial No. 632,225.

To all whom-it mctg concern Be it known that we, FELIX E. DUNN and JULIUS E. PATTERSQN, citizens of the United.

States, residing at Klamath Falls, in the county of Kl'amath, State of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements ,in

Land Levelers and Graders, t which the 7 following is a specification;

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for leveling and grading industrial and agricultural land, roadways,

and the like and resides in the provision of ment, the apparatus may be caused to "pick up or scoop, to convey and to dump dirt or other material.

Another object of the inventionis to provide apparatus of the character described wherein the scoop forming a part of the invention may be, at will, moved into and maintained inany one of its various positions by an easy-manipulation ofa single control element during and without interrupting the progress of the vehicle forming a part of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide in apparatus of the, character described means with which the depth of the scooping action =ma-y beregulated... as desired and the dumping operation may likewise be.regu: lated sothat either a gradual dumping or quick dumping action inay be effected.

-Another object is a to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation,

reduce the cost of manufacture and render.

moregenerally useful grading and leveling apparatus of the type described.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the character described 'in which the parts and elements (if the apparatus will be automatically returned to normal position.

Another object is to provide in apparatus of the character described automatic and semi-automatic control and operating mechanism which will' facilitate the work of scooping, conveying and dumping dirt or other material particularly in"'-that it will simplify and render more eflicacious the operation of the apparatus. Y 1

A further object is to provide, an ap paratus of the character describedin which the scoopsvhen. empty and upon manipulation of the operating member, will move into scooping position but when loaded and in load conveying position, upon again operating in the same manner, the same operating member will move into dumping instead of scooping position, this being automatically rovided for-through the operation of reease mechanism-by engagement ofthe dirt in the scoop with a trip member forming part of the last named mechanism. These operations with others described, work to the advantage of making it unnecessary for the operator to fre uently turn or look behind during. the operation of the apparatus. f

A further object is to provide in apparatus of the character described, a wheeled support for the scoop in which the axle is constructed whereby it will act as a lever to impa'rt' the necessary force to the mechanisin to operate the scoop, thus doing away with gears, and other parts and simplifying I and reducing the cost of the apparatus.

With the above mentionedand other objects in view, the invention consists in the "novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims heretoappended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction .within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or' sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Referring to the drawings: 1 represents a side elevation partly in section of the apparatus of our invention showing the scoop in inoperative position as" when empty, this position being substantially the same-as load conveying position, which latter ismade out in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 represents a, top plan view "of the apparatus of our invention.

. Fig. 3

the scoop in scooping position.

is alsectional view showing in elevationl the main elements of the mechanism and .Fig. ,4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the mechanism in dumping position.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the vehicular part of the construction of the apparatus comprises an axle 1, provided with off set spindles 2 supporting wheels 3; it. tongue or draw bar 4 is attached to rearwardly extending bars 5, whichbars at their rear ends are; pivoted as at 6'to plates 7 bolted to the substantially upright portions 8 ofth'e axle 1. The plate 7 is secured to the axle so that it projects forwardly therefrom and in its forwardly projecting portion thepivot 6is carried.

Connected to the pivot 6 and depending 10 therefrom are hangers 9 which are secured as at 10 to the sides of a scoop 11, near the forward end of the scoop. Upon forward movement of the axle, the scoop will lower and on the opposite movement of the axle the scoop will be lifted. Through this connection, a leverage action is provided upon movement of the axle which, 1n combination "with other'mechanisms to be described,'wi ll 0 its several positions.

c same beingillustrated in detail in Fig. 1.

Each comprises an inner drum, 13 fixed to the spindle of the axle and the outer drum 14c fixed to the hub of the wheel; Ordinarily these. drums move relative to one another.

The inner drum carries a split band 15 which is arranged to expandand contract by mechanism consisting of a retract ile' spring 16 fastened to the inner drum at one end as at 17 and at its other end to the inwardly offinner drum as at 19 is an eccentric sheave20 is progressive and requires continued movement or depression of the pedal in order to move the scoop from normal position into arrangement it will be seen that the depth at.

which the scoop will operate may beregulated. Asa means for automatically lifting the scoop rinto load conveying position following its being loaded during a scooping operation, we .provide cylinders .26 which are pivoted to a bar, 27 extending transversely between and secured to the plates 7. In these cylinders are mounted rods 28 the inner ends of which carry members 29 similar to pistons, the outer ends of which are pivoted to brackets 30, which are supported by the scoop. Helical expansion springs 31 are mounted in the cylinders and the'r forward ends are adapted to be engaged b the members 29 while their rear ends engage the flanged caps 32 which are screwed onto the rear ends of the cylinders. The other ends L of the cylinders are closed by similar caps V 33. Since \the cylinders are carried by the plates which are attached to the axle, when the axle and plates move forwa'rdly, the cylindersare likewise moved relative to the rods 29 and cause the springs to compress, said springs being therefore under compression when the scoop is moved into scooping set end 18 of the band 15. Pivoted on the position. Upon release of the scoop mechanism 12, the springs will expand and cause to which a flexible operating element 21 is the axleand its associated parts to return to 4.0 pivot member \19, which pivot member is fastened. The'sheave is provided with an abutment or projection 22 at one side of its adapted to bear against the off-setend 18 and move said end so as to expand the ring 15 when the sheave is moved in a counter-clockwise direction. .This expansion of the band is against the action of the spring, which spring, normally holds the band in contracted position permitting relative movement of the drums. The flexible element 21 -is connected with a pedal23suitably supported by the tongue or draw bar structure adjacent the operators seat, not shown, it being understood that the ordinary agricultural implementseat may be provided on the apparatus as is customary. c

By depressing the pedal 23, the flexible element wound on the sheaves will be pulled and cause the sheaves'to turn and expand the inner drums of the clutches. This will cause the wheels to look so that upon turning thereof, the axle will be turned likewise.

Since the axle .is ofi-set, it will swing forwardly and downwardly from its normal positiomshown in Fig. 1; and in so doing efiect a leverage action, as will be later more fully described, and operate the scoop. The clutch normal position and thereby liftthe loaded scoop into'position clear of the ground substantially as shown in Fig. 1. The springs are sufiiciently stiff to lift the loaded scoop.

As a means for controlling the movements ofthe scoop, we provide mechanism as follows: Attached to a shaft 34 journaled between the bars 5 and extending downwardly and rearwardly from the bar, are hooks 35, the hook or bill portions 3 of which are adapted to cooperate with projections 37 extending outwardly from the sides of the scoop. The projections 37,- are preferably provided with right angularly bent terminals 38 which serve as keepers to hold the hooks against lateral displacement. Nor mally, that-is when the scoop is in empty and up position, the bolts or hook portions 36 are disposed below the projections 37 and this permits the scoop to turn on its axis so as to bring its forward or scooping edge into a plane lower than the rear edge and to maintain this position while the scoop is lowering. As soon as the portions 36 en gage the members 37 the scoop is prevented froni turning on its axis, the pivot 6, and is moved bodilydownwardly into scooping p0 sition.

Fixed to the bar 34 centrally of the ends thereof, is a. leaf spring trip member -39 which curves downwardly and rearwardly to a point spaced abovethe bottom'of the S000 As the dirt accumulates in the scoop, it wlllpush u' wardly on the spring trip 39, and place sai trip under tension. The ten 'sion of the spring has no .efiect on the bar' 34 and hooks 35 at this time because of the engagement of the bills 36 with the projec v tion and the scoop has become filled or loaded, the springs 31 quickly move the scoop into load conveying position, clear. of the ground,=and thismovement causes the portions 37 to be disengaged from the hooks.

Coincident to this .disengagement,'the stored up energy of the spring 39 is expended and causes the bar 34: to rotate and lift thehooks into a position whereby upon again operat.

ing the mechanism and I the scoop moves f downwardly, the portions 37 move clear of the hooks, and the scoop will turn on its axis and dump the load.

The hookkmembers are limited in their upward movement by the stop members 40 with which latter they engage when 3 the spring trip 39 exerts a force to lift said hook members. The upward movement of the scoop is limited by stop members 41 which extend upwardly from the sides of the scoop at the forward end thereof and are'adapted as previously described, theprojections 37 toengage the under sides of the bars 5.

'Assuming'that the device isin the position "shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and is readyto be operated, the operator de resses the pedal.23 and pulls on the flexib e elements 21 so that the sheaves 20 areturned on their pivots 19. This moves the pins 22 as the vehicle advances. -The turning of the so that they press outwardly on the portions 18 of the 'expansible hands 15. and cause the latter to expand and to frictionally lock with the outer. drums 14 Through this ac tion of the-clutches the wheels are locked with the spindles of the axle and the axle is caused to turn. In order tocontinue the .movement of the axle, the'operator must continually press'downwardly on the pedal axle causes'the fofi' set portion of the axle Ito swing. forwardly and'downwardly 1n an arc,

producing a leverage action which throu h the hanger members 9 causes the scoop lower. When the scoop first lowers it swings on the axis 6 so that the forward edge is swung downward and rearward in an arc and assumes a position belowthe rearedge ."ofthe scoopwhereby-the entire scoop 1s in- As a safetyelement to prevent movement of the scoop downwardly beyond a prede-- the scoop is a bodily one and downward. As

the scoop moves bodily downward, the

= springs 31 are compressed but the tendency of the springs to. lift upwardly on the rear end of the scoop is overcome by engagement with the hook portions 36' with the projections 37. -The operator must maintain the pedal 23 depressed while the scooping operation being effected, the parts being then in position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. As soon as the scoop is loaded and the operator desiring to lift the scoop from the ground in order that the load may be conveyed, releases the pedal 23. This releases the clutches and thesprings31 act to lift upwardly on the rear ,portion of the scoop and to cause theofi' set portion of the axle. I to swing upwardly and rearwardly. The upward and rearward swinging of the axle,- through the hanger members 9, lifts upward ly on the front portion of the scoop vand this action on the front and rear portions of the scoop, causes the scoop to be lifted clear" of the ground in'substantially le'vel position. Duringthe scooping operation, as soonja-s the dirt hegins to a'ccumulate'in the scoop, it presses on the trip 39 and places same under tension. When the clutch is released move clear of the hook portions 36 when 3% the scoop is raised, and the springs 39 iinme-' diately expand and cause the'hooks '36 to be lifted into dotted 'line' position shown in Fig. 1, clear of the said'projections. When it it is desired to dump the load, theoperator 1 again presses the pedal 23 and theclutches p again lock the wheels with the axle so that the axle swings forwardly as though to lower 1 the pan,-as in thelnitial operation. How---- ever, since the dirt isholding the spring trip 110, '39 in such' position that'it exerts a force on the hook members suflicient to hold them in "inoperative position, as the axle moves for;

wardly it tendsto swing .the forward edge of .the' scoop downwardly and rearwardly,

varying the movement of the pedal 23, the inclined position into which the scoop will be 1 moved," may be varied. Ifit isfdesired to gradually unload so as .to scatter the load, the scoop is moved into but a slightly in clined position and maintained in this position while' the apparatus is. being drawn forwardly. If it is desired to dump the 0 load quickly so as to form a pile, the pedal depressed to its fullest extent and the scoop will quickly swing into substantially upright positlon'as shown in Fig; l.

To return the scoop and associated parts to normal position, the pedal is released following the dumping operation and the scoop will swing back into normal position as shown in Fig. .1.

With the. improved grading device of our invention, it will be seen that the operatorv may eflicaciously operate the grader to scoop, convey and dump the load, through manipulation of a single operating element. Not only does the single operating element provide for setting into operation the mechanism of the apparatus but for the control of movement of the scoop as to the depth at which it is to. operate and as to the manner in whichit is caused to dump the load,

either abruptly or gradually. With the apparatus of this invention, gears, rack bars and other expensive and space consuming parts, such as are usually employed. in automatic scrapers, are dispensed with and not only is the apparatus simplified as to construction but it is materially reduced as to cost.

' litv will be seen that the .axle virtually so provides a crank arm in its off set construction, which crank arm simplifies the construction, arrangement and operation as op posed to other motion transmitting ar- 1 ran ements, particularly because it does not pro uoe as much friction or wear out as quickly, nor is, as; much care and attention required to maintainthe same in working form. I

Weclaim: s y

1. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle having a crank portion,

wheels mounted for free rotation on ex tremities of the axle, a draw bar, means for pivotally connecting the draw bar with'the crank portion of the axle, clutch means associated with the wheels and axle for locking the wheels to and causin movement of the axle upon movement of t e wheels, a scoop, members rigidly connected with the scoop and pivotally connected with the crank portion of the axle and spring devices connected with the crank portion of the axle and with the rear portion of the scoop, which spring devices are placed under tension when the scoop is moved into and maintained in scooping position.

2. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle having a crank portion, wheels mounted on the. extremities of the axle for free rotation thereon, a draw bar pivotally connected with the crankportion of the axle, a scoop, clutch means for locking the wheels to the axle to cause movement of the .axle upon movement of the wheels, means including the clutch means rece es which, when the axle is moved will move the scoop into scooping and dumping positions and spring means associated with the mechanism so as to be placed under compression when the scoop is in scooping position and will cause it to move the scoop into load conveying position upon declutchfor locking the wheels with the axle and moving the scoop into and maintaining the same in scooping posltion, means acting automatically upon declutching of the clutch mechanisms for moving the scoop into load conveying position and means which when the clutch mechanisms are operated fol-' lowing movement of the scoop into load conveying position will cause the scoop to move into load dumping position.

5. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle, wheels loosely mounted on the axle, ,a scoop, a draw bar associated with the axle, means including clutch mechanisms for locking the wheels to the axle to causerotation ofthe latter, which means operates to move the scoop into an operative position upon suchmovement of the axle,

is moved into said operative position to prevent tilting of the scoop, means operating on release of theclutch mechanisms to move the scoop into position clear of the ground and means' actuated automatically by the dirt in the scoop to release said tilt prevent ing means: and permitting the scoop to tilt (and dump the load upon second operation of the clutch mechanisms.

6. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle, wheels rotatable on the axle, a scoop, a draw bar associated with the axle, means associated with the axle and the scoop for moving the scoop into scooping position, clutch'me'ans associated with the wheels and upon the actuation of which causes the last named means to move into. and maintain the same in scooping position, and spring means which when the clutch mechanisms are released, following a scooping operation will automatically lift the.

scoop into load conveying position.

till

mcans acting when the scoop is empty and 7. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle,- wheels rotatable on the axle, a scoop, a draw bar associated with the axle, means associated with the axle and the scoop for moving vthe scoop into scooping position, clutch means associated with the wheels and upon the actuation of which causes the last named means to move into and maintain the same in scooping position, spring means which when the clutch mecha* nisms are released following a scooping op eration' will automatically lift the scoop into load conveying position and means operated automatically by the dirt in the scoop, which when the clutch mechanisms are operated following movement of the scoop into load conveying position will permit the scoop to tilt and dump the load.

8. Land "leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle having a crank portion intermediate of its ends, wheels rotatable on the extremities of the axle, clutch mechanisms for locking the wheels to the axle and causing movement of the crank portion, a scoop, a draw bar associated with the axle, members rigidly connected with the scoop adjacent the forward end thereof and pivotally connected ,with the crank portion, spring means connected with the crank portion and with the rear portion of the scoop and normally maintaining the scoop in lifted position clear of the ground.

9. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle having a crank portion intermediate of its ends, wheels rotatable on the extremities of the axle, clutch mechanisms for locking the-wheels to the axle and causing movement of the crank portion, a scoop, a draw bar associated with the axle, members rigidly connected with the scoop therefrom.

adjacent the forward endthereof and pivotally connected -.with the crank portion,

spring means connected withthe crank portion and with the rear portion of the scoop and normally maintaining the scoop in lifted position clear of the ground and means acting when the clutch mechanisms are op 10. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising an axle having a crank portion intermediate of its ends, wheels loosely mounted on the extremities of the axle, a

\scoop, arms connected with ,the scoop near the forward end thereof and pivotally connectedwith the crank portions, spring de- -vices connected with the crank portions and with the rear portion of the scoo which spring devices normally maintain t e scoop in lifted position and are placed under compression when the scoop is moved into scooping position, clutch mechanisms for locking thewheels to the axle and causing swinging 'of the crank portion, means for preventing the scoop from tilting upon swinging of the crank portion to move the scoop into scooping position and means for releasing said last named means operated automatically by the dirt picked up in the scoop.

JULIUS E. PATTERSON. FELIX DUNN. 

